Mandolin For Dummies - For Real

**Scott Tichenor** · Jun-14-2012, 10:51am

This is not really a secret and it's already available for pre-order on amazon.com but thought I'd go ahead and make the formal announcement since the publisher said OK. Our own Don Julin is the author of Mandolin For Dummies from the popular book series by the same name and I'm in the process of writing the forward right now. It'll be available this fall. Congratulations to Don on what is sure to be a terrific book. I've been in frequent contact with the publishers since Don was selected as the author and they've been privately raving about his work and pleasure working with him--no surprise to me.

**Folkmusician.com** · Jun-14-2012, 10:53am

That is great! I was wondering when we would see this title. We can't let banjo get the upper hand!

**rgray** · Jun-14-2012, 11:03am

So will the stock answer to all newbie questions become "read the book"?

**mehrsam** · Jun-14-2012, 11:55am

But...there are no dummies who play mandolin...

**JEStanek** · Jun-14-2012, 12:01pm

There won't be any after reading the book....

Congratulations to Don.

Jamie

**Scott Tichenor** · Jun-14-2012, 12:09pm

Neglected to mention it's also available for pre-order from amazon.co.uk for our friends across the pond.

**journeybear** · Jun-14-2012, 12:26pm

Great going, guys!

This brings what I call "furthering mandolin consciousness" to a global level. I hope it's not dumbed down too much, but rather keeps readers intrigued enough to stick with it. I also hope care has been taken to make sure the language is understandable for banjo players. Perhaps it will draw some of them back from the dark side.

BTW, is that really Dawg playing banjo in Scott's avatar? Or is it Bizarro Dawg from the Bizarro universe?

**Santiago** · Jun-14-2012, 12:35pm

Yes, now we're on the map! Thanks Don.

**Randi Gormley** · Jun-14-2012, 12:35pm

I guess a bunch of them will be sold over the Christmas holidays ... but, alas, no bowlbacks or A's on the cover?

**Jim Garber** · Jun-14-2012, 12:53pm

Originally Posted by Randi Gormley

I guess a bunch of them will be sold over the Christmas holidays ... but, alas, no bowlbacks or A's on the cover?

It must be sponsored by Weber.

**Pete Braccio** · Jun-14-2012, 1:26pm

I thought it was April 1st again already.

Pete

**San Rafael** · Jun-14-2012, 1:43pm

Cool.

**Don Julin** · Jun-14-2012, 2:55pm

The "Dummies" brand as some of you might know is not really for dummies only. "Mandolin For Dummies" is almost 400 pages, including 2hrs of audio covering everything from buying your first mandolin and playing your first chord, up to studying some of Bill Monroe's techniques, some jazz/swing stuff, a chapter on playing jigs and reels and even a brand new song from The Dawg himself.

Over the last year, I have been working with what I feel are some of the best players alive today to be able to provide a serious mandolin reference book. (with a sense of humor) The book includes contributions from Mike Compton, Rich DelGrosso, Marla Fibish, Tim Connell, Chris Aquavilla, Don Stiernberg, and David Grisman. It also includes an original tune by our own John Goodin.

I am in the final stages of proofing but they say we are still about 30 pages over so I shouldn't say any more just yet.

Hope to see some of you at the Symposium later this month. I will be hosting the swing jams each night after the faculty concerts.

**Ed Goist** · Jun-14-2012, 3:20pm

Hi Don!
Could you briefly comment on how you'd rate this as a learning tool for players of longer scale GDAE tuned instruments, such as the octave mandolin and GDAE tuned tenor guitar?
Congratulations on the publication, and I look forward to seeing you next month at Jim's Camp!

**SternART** · Jun-14-2012, 3:57pm

Ed,

I guess I can jump in for Don.......I was technical editor (which was fun, but WAY MORE work than I thought it would be) & have read and listened to it all. While other mando family instruments are mentioned, it is after all "Mandolin for Dummies". Maybe that can be next, Volume Two! It is a great reference for mandolin players, in all genres......an all in one place reference book. And the tunes Don illustrates really show his chops, this cat can play.

But alas just all mandolin playing....but you know these instruments are tuned in 5ths, and share some of the mando geometric kinds of things, this family of instruments have going for them. You can apply mando ideas to the bigger mando-beasts. Much of what you know will be transferable on some level. But each instrument has it's own unique things to learn, to take advantage of their strengths.

**aphillips** · Jun-14-2012, 5:20pm

If this was on facebook I would "like" this. Can't wait to check it out!

**sunburst** · Jun-14-2012, 5:28pm

Originally Posted by mehrsam

But...there are no dummies who play mandolin...

Yeah, but they haven't had the book! They will now!

Cool book! I might have to get my own copy...

**Wayne Bagley** · Jun-14-2012, 5:44pm

Congrats to Don.

I'm excited about this book. I want to pre-order and I'm wondering if it will be available on Amazon.ca.
Please let us know.

Also is there anyway we can get Don to sign our copy?

Wayne

**Mandolin Mick** · Jun-14-2012, 6:20pm

Yowza!!! I'm so excited I can hardly stand it!!!

**Paul Busman** · Jun-14-2012, 7:04pm

Sweet! Took me all of 30 sec to decide to pre-order...

**Steve-o** · Jun-14-2012, 7:38pm

Wow, and less than the price of a CD if you pre-order. Congrats Don! You're in the home stretch now. I'm sure it's a well written, valuable resource book. Got to go pre-order it now...

**journeybear** · Jun-14-2012, 8:27pm

Originally Posted by Don Julin

The "Dummies" brand as some of you might know is not really for dummies only.

I think we all know that, and that the brand name is tongue in cheek, meant to demystify each book's subject matter, making potential buyers feel it has been made accessible. But of course, we can't help sending out a few zingers and potshots anyway. Too easy and irresistible.

This sounds like a great addition to the lexicon - I'm not even sure what is out there. When I started out forty very odd years ago all I could find was Mel Bay. The method book didn't take me far, but between the chord book and a bunch of bands' song books I managed to figure it out. Still, I had to be shown the G chop chord three years in

by the first other mandolin player I met, in college. A resource like this will surely make the learning much, much easier and help people get on their way much sooner. Thanks to all involved - Don, Art, Scott, everybody!

**Billgrass** · Jun-14-2012, 8:28pm

Go Don!!

**Mandomusic** · Jun-14-2012, 8:42pm

I taked to Don about his Mandolin For Dummies project when he was in Cincinnati checking out Kimble mandolins. Don, is an exceptional player, gifted teacher and has put his heart and soul into this book. It will be comprehensive and go beyond a beginners book. I have no doubt it will be a "must have" for mandolin players of many levels.

Mark

**trevor** · Jun-15-2012, 4:37am

As someone mentioned the photo is of the Weber Bitterroot family. Don contacted me a while ago and asked for some mandolin family photos, I was delighted when my photo was chosen for the front cover. My first front cover as a photographer..

Thanks Don.